During the Los Angeles Lakers' Media Day to kick off the 2025-26 season, general manager Rob Pelinka announced that the team extended head coach JJ Redick's contract. This came as a surprise since it was reported last year that Redick had signed a four-year deal and had been in charge for only a year.
Contract extensions for a head coach with multiple years left on their deal are not a move we see too often in the NBA. Not only is this a rare situation, but it's also one that raises serious questions about the organization's ambition.
Lakers' Lack of Ambition in JJ Redick Extension Should Worry Fans
To be fair to Redick, the first-time head coach did a solid job in his first year in Los Angeles.
The team punched above its weight, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade that shook up the team, Redick was able to keep the team together and secure a third seed in the Western Conference with 50 wins. Doncic was not at the peak of his powers, and the Lakers didn't have any quality centers on the roster, but Redick was able to lead the team to a 22-13 record after the trade.
The postseason, however, was a complete disaster. The Lakers ran out of bodies very quickly; the lack of overall depth and quality big man options came back to bite them. Redick notably didn't use any subs in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, highlighting his lack of experience at the highest level before the Lakers bowed out in a gentleman's sweep in the first round.
While Redick may have a bright future as a head coach, he didn't necessarily need a contract extension after one season that ended in a first-round exit. The Lakers can't be satisfied with one 50-win season and a first-round exit. As the most prestigious franchise of the NBA, they need to aim bigger, and the standard for earning a contract extension has to be higher than one good season.
The Lakers are starting the 2025-26 campaign with increased expectations. Doncic is looking more fit, the team seemingly has more depth, and LeBron James, despite aging another year, is still playing at an All-Star level.
At the same time, the Western Conference is stacked with good teams, and the road to a deep postseason run will not be easy. Another first-round flame-out next season could make the Lakers regret their decision to extend Redick and wish they had waited instead of giving out a premature reward.